WO2003084744A1 - Laminated glass assembly - Google Patents

Laminated glass assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003084744A1
WO2003084744A1 PCT/EP2003/003704 EP0303704W WO03084744A1 WO 2003084744 A1 WO2003084744 A1 WO 2003084744A1 EP 0303704 W EP0303704 W EP 0303704W WO 03084744 A1 WO03084744 A1 WO 03084744A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
interlayer
sheet
temperature
sheets
calendering
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2003/003704
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sergio Sperduti
Mario Stroffolino
Original Assignee
Glaverbel
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Glaverbel filed Critical Glaverbel
Priority to EP03722437A priority Critical patent/EP1492668A1/en
Priority to AU2003229635A priority patent/AU2003229635A1/en
Publication of WO2003084744A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003084744A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
    • B32B17/10761—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing vinyl acetal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
    • B32B17/10816—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by pressing
    • B32B17/10825—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts
    • B32B17/10862—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts using pressing-rolls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
    • B32B17/10899—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10935—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin as a preformed layer, e.g. formed by extrusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
    • B32B17/10981—Pre-treatment of the layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
    • B32B17/1099—After-treatment of the layered product, e.g. cooling

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the assembly of laminated glazing. More particularly, it relates to laminated glazings in which the interlayer sheet is made of a material having the characteristics of materials of the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) type, materials commonly used in the production of these glazings.
  • PVB polyvinyl butyral
  • the previously cut interlayer sheet is placed between the two glass sheets.
  • a preliminary step is then carried out in which the interlayer sheet and the glass sheets are immobilized in position relative to one another before carrying out a treatment comprising a significant rise in temperature.
  • Another compulsory step is that of eliminating the air which remains between the leaves.
  • the next step is to glue the sheets together. It is during this stage that the sheets are joined uniformly over their entire surface. It is also in this stage that the glazing acquires its transparency. Subsequent finishes may include a release of the interlayer sheet if this has not been done previously.
  • the last step is practically carried out in all cases at a temperature of 100 to 150 ° C. and under pressure in an autoclave, to ensure perfect contact between the glass sheets on the one hand, and the interlayer thermoplastic sheet on the other hand.
  • the previous steps give way to a certain diversity of treatment. It is thus proposed to constitute the stabilized and degassed laminate, by subjecting the assembly to a high vacuum applied in particular from the periphery.
  • This technique if it leads to good results is relatively difficult to implement. It requires heavy installations, and the processing time is relatively long. For this reason, the implementation of this technique is limited in practice to assemblies which cannot be conveniently produced otherwise. This is for example the formation of laminated glazing whose geometry is particularly complex.
  • Another type of technique proposes to carry out the provisional assembly by calendering of previously superimposed sheets.
  • This calendering is all the easier since the bending of the sheets is more restricted and, in particular, that it is limited to one direction.
  • Recent advances in this area such as the possibility of varying the profile of the calendering rollers during the treatment of a single piece to conform at all points to the transverse curvature of the treated glazing, make it possible to increase the capacity of this mode of treatment without sacrificing the essential advantages of high throughput and relatively low cost of maintaining the installation.
  • Calendering is normally carried out in two stages.
  • the temperature is deliberately limited. This is indeed to expel the air and begin stabilization of the interlayer. At this stage it is necessary to avoid sealing the edges of the glazing, an operation which would no longer allow the air still trapped in the irregularities of the surface of the interlayer material to be adequately removed.
  • the operation is carried out at a relatively high temperature so that the softening of the intermediate material, consecutive to a higher temperature, makes it possible to seal the edges, thus preventing the subsequent re-entry of air, when the pressure is no longer exerted.
  • the synthetic material has a certain elasticity. This property is taken advantage of in the assembly process. Thanks to this elasticity, the interlayer sheet conforms to the geometry of the glass sheets which, as we have indicated, often have complex shapes. The elasticity also means that in the rolls of interlayer material, the sheet is usually in slightly stretched form.
  • the PVB rolls are also stored under precise temperature and humidity conditions. It is necessary to do this to prevent the turns from sticking together.
  • the storage temperature is thus between 6 and 10 ° C.
  • Another solution to avoid this sticking consists in rolling up a strip of paper or of suitable plastic material at the same time as that of PVB, this strip thus separating each turn from the next.
  • the use of these “interleaved” rollers is nevertheless very restrictive, in particular for operations after storage. For this reason, refrigerated storage is generally preferred.
  • the practice is generally to cut the intermediate sheet with a non-negligible excess compared to the dimensions of the glass sheets. This excess is, for example, around ten millimeters.
  • the sheets After the unwinding and cutting of the PVB, and possibly the stretching of the sheets, the sheets are normally relaxed in order to allow them to regain a certain stability as has been indicated above. This results in storage of the sheets which is all the more delicate since it must be well controlled. It must be long enough to ensure adequate relaxation, and not too long, too long storage at room temperature having the effect of causing the sheets to stick together. This storage must also be carried out in dust-free rooms while maintaining a certain humidity. All of these add to the cost of production.
  • the invention proposes to improve the processes used to assemble laminated glazing, by eliminating at least some of the constraints set out above.
  • the interlayer material of the PVB type is unrolled, cut into pieces which are immediately placed between the two sheets of glass, and stabilized between these sheets by calendering at a similar temperature. of ambient temperature, temperature which does not exceed 35 ° C.
  • the glass sheets are subjected to stresses mainly in the direction of their thickness. A certain component of these forces can however appear in the direction of progression of the leaves. For this reason, and to prevent any risk of the sheets moving relative to one another, it is advantageous to stabilize them before subjecting them to calendering.
  • the pressure exerted to ensure punctual "sticking" is advantageously of the order of 20 to 60 kg / cm 2 .
  • the invention aims to limit as much as possible the initial operations on the intermediate material, and in particular the operations which affect the dimensions of the sheet. These include overcoming the need for relaxation of the sheet after unrolling and cutting, an operation which requires relatively long storage under restrictive conditions. It is also, with regard to the most usual practice, to eliminate stretching and its consequences on the relaxation stage.
  • the practice of relaxation usually results in storing the cut sheets for 24 hours to integrate comfortably into the rhythms of industrial production.
  • the interval between the moment when the interlayer material is unrolled, and that when the cut sheet introduced between the two glass sheets is stabilized by calendering at room temperature is as short as possible. It is advantageously less than 3 hours and can be brought to half an hour or even less in continuous productions, the ideal being to ensure that operations succeed one another without interruption. In this latter hypothesis, the time separating the unwinding of the interlayer from its placement between the sheets of glass can be only a few minutes.
  • the skinning it is advantageous to perform the skinning as soon as the interlayer sheet is fixed between the glass sheets, after the first calendering. At this stage the edges of the interlayer sheet extending beyond the glass sheets are not folded down. They also have a certain resistance to bending which facilitates cutting. Given the way in which the interlayer is presented, the skinning can be accomplished in an automated manner.
  • the appearance is appreciably smoother than for the products of which the skinning is carried out after passage through the autoclave as will be indicated in more detail with the aid of the figures.
  • the assembly leaving the calendering at room temperature is largely degassed. It is then advantageously permanently degassed and fixed by a calendering at a higher temperature to seal the edges and avoid the possible re-penetration of air by the edges of the glazing.
  • a calendering is carried out at a temperature below that of the melting of the material.
  • the temperature is advantageously between 75 and 110 ° C.
  • the next operation is that corresponding to pressure melting.
  • this operation is carried out at temperatures between 120 and 150 ° C. under a pressure of the order of 10 to 16 ⁇ 10 5 Pa. This operation is advantageously carried out in a simple autoclave.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a set of steps for implementing a method of producing laminated glazing according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 are different schematic views showing the behavior of the edge of the interlayer sheet according to the conditions of blasting.
  • FIG. 1 corresponds to the preparation of a laminated windshield comprising two paired curved glass sheets, and an interlayer constituted for example by a PVB sheet 0.76 mm thick.
  • the first step consists, starting from the interlayer roll 1, leaving its refrigerated storage at 8 ° C., to unroll and cut a sheet 2, of shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the glass sheets, with slightly larger dimensions.
  • the unwinding is carried out without traction on the interlayer.
  • the cuts are made, generally upside down, the large dimensions extending in the length of the roll, and reversing the direction of the pieces with each cutting. .
  • the cut PVB pieces are immediately introduced between the two glass sheets and passed to calendering at room temperature, as shown in diagram 3.
  • the sheets can be immobilized relative to one another to prevent them from sliding, by a pressing operation at two points located in the central part of the glazing.
  • the points are well spaced to offer good resistance to the forces which in calendering would have the effect of rotating the sheets.
  • the pressing points are spaced apart by a fraction of the largest dimension of the glazing, which is advantageously not less than one fifth of this dimension.
  • the device used is of the type comprising a multiplicity of rollers aligned on the same axis which can be arched to take account of the transverse curvature of the windshield.
  • This type of calendering is limited to assemblies which have a reduced transverse curvature and practically constant over the entire length. In the case where the curvature is greater and / or is not constant, the devices are more complex.
  • the profile of the set of rollers must adapt to correspond at all times to the curvature of the glass in a determined transverse. As indicated above, this type of instantaneous adaptation of the device to the variable curvature when the glass sheet passes by, is currently produced by means of series of rollers independent of each other, the relative position of which is adjusted by digital control means. .
  • the pressure exerted by the calendering is of the order of 40 kg cm 2 .
  • the assembly resulting from calendering is in condition to be signed, its stability being sufficient.
  • the edge 5 of the interlayer protruding from the glass sheets 4 is rigid enough not to fall back. It therefore does not stick to the glass sheets and can be conveniently cut, advantageously automatically or robotically.
  • the assembly is heated in an oven at a temperature leading to a softening of the interlayer, without reaching that of complete melting.
  • the temperature should allow the edges to be bonded in the next step.
  • a typical temperature is between 75 and 110 ° C, and most often between 85 and 90 ° C.
  • the assembly brought to this temperature is immediately subjected to a second calendering schematized at 7.
  • this calendering the edges are subjected to a pressure slightly greater than that exerted on the rest of the sheet, to guarantee a bonding of these which prohibits subsequent entry of air.
  • the trapped residual air is expelled.
  • the direction of calendering is advantageously opposite to that of the first calendering operation.
  • the interlayer material must then be brought to high temperature and under pressure.
  • the operation is carried out, as shown schematically in 8, in an autoclave.
  • the highest temperature during treatment is 120 to 160 ° C, and the pressure can reach from 10 to 16.10 5 .Pa.
  • the initial cutting of the interlayer sheet is such that it exceeds the limits of the glass sheets.
  • the initial cut leaves an edge 14 which can have certain irregularities both in the direction of the thickness of the sheet and in that of the plane thereof.
  • the dimensional excess of the interlayer is chosen so as to prevent any shrinkage which would lead the interlayer to dimensions smaller than those of the glass sheets, shrinkage which may appear in particular when exposed to heat during the baking of the laminated assembly.
  • the excess size is a function of the risk of withdrawal. The latter is all the more important as the sheet will have been subjected to stretching at the start of the process.
  • the interlayer sheet overflows the glass sheets by about ten millimeters.
  • FIG. 2b schematically presents the appearance of the end of the intermediate sheet after passage through the oven leading to the softening of this sheet.
  • the softening is such that the profile of the edge of the interlayer is modified. Smaller irregularities dissipate to give a smoother profile 15.
  • the end of the sheet is presented as in the same plane as the part of this sheet taken between the two sheets of glass.
  • the interlayer sheet passed in the oven tends to bend under its own weight, and if necessary to come stick to the edge of the lower glass sheet.
  • the rest of the operations necessarily include the removal of the excess of the interlayer.
  • this operation is done by cutting using a blade passed along the glass sheets.
  • the operation is inconvenient, in particular because of the possible bonding of the interlayer on the end of the underlying glass sheet. This difficulty often leads to having to perform this operation manually.
  • FIG. 2c schematically illustrates the type of profile of the final glazing when the skinning is carried out after baking.
  • the edge of the interlayer sheet is relatively irregular, which is not entirely satisfactory in terms of the final appearance, but which in addition may be accompanied by defects linked to the forces exerted on this interlayer after assembly. .

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  • Joining Of Glass To Other Materials (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns the production of laminated glass panes. The invention is characterized in that it consists in assembling glass panes consisting of two glass sheets assembled by at least an interposed laminate made of a thermoplastic material having properties of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheets, wherein the interposed laminate material is cut out and immediately placed between the glass sheets, without prior relaxation, and calendered at a temperature close to room temperature and not exceeding 35 DEG C. The inventive method enables time saving and simplification of the implementation, in particular concerning the edge-trimming of the interposed laminate, while preserving the quality of glass panes thus obtained.

Description

Assemblage de vitrages feuilletés Assembly of laminated glazing
L'invention est relative à l'assemblage de vitrages feuilletés. Plus particulièrement, elle concerne les vitrages feuilletés dans lesquels la feuille intercalaire est constituée d'un matériau présentant les caractéristiques des matériaux du type polyvinylbutyral (PVB), matériaux communément utilisés dans la production de ces vitrages.The invention relates to the assembly of laminated glazing. More particularly, it relates to laminated glazings in which the interlayer sheet is made of a material having the characteristics of materials of the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) type, materials commonly used in the production of these glazings.
Diverses techniques ont été proposées pour réaliser ce type d'assemblage. Elles comportent toutes des étapes obligées.Various techniques have been proposed for carrying out this type of assembly. They all include compulsory stages.
Dans un premier temps la feuille intercalaire préalablement découpée est placée entre les deux feuilles de verre. On procède ensuite à une étape préliminaire dans laquelle la feuille intercalaire et les feuilles de verre sont immobilisées en position les unes par rapport aux autres avant de procéder à un traitement comportant une élévation sensible de la température.Firstly, the previously cut interlayer sheet is placed between the two glass sheets. A preliminary step is then carried out in which the interlayer sheet and the glass sheets are immobilized in position relative to one another before carrying out a treatment comprising a significant rise in temperature.
Une autre étape obligée est celle de l'élimination de l'air qui demeure entre les feuilles. L'étape suivante correspond au collage des feuilles entre elles. C'est au cours de cette étape que les feuilles sont solidarisées de façon uniforme sur toute leur surface. C'est dans cette étape aussi que le vitrage acquiert sa transparence. Les finitions ultérieures peuvent comporter un émargeage de la feuille intercalaire si celui- ci n'est pas intervenu précédemment.Another compulsory step is that of eliminating the air which remains between the leaves. The next step is to glue the sheets together. It is during this stage that the sheets are joined uniformly over their entire surface. It is also in this stage that the glazing acquires its transparency. Subsequent finishes may include a release of the interlayer sheet if this has not been done previously.
La dernière étape est pratiquement conduite dans tous les cas à température de 100 à 150°C et sous pression en autoclave, pour assurer un contact parfait entre les feuilles de verre d'une part, et la feuille thermoplastique intercalaire d'autre part. Les étapes précédentes laissent place à une certaine diversité de traitement. Il est ainsi proposé de constituer le feuilleté stabilisé et dégazé, en soumettant l'ensemble à un vide poussé appliqué notamment à partir de la périphérie. Cette technique si elle conduit à de bons résultats est relativement difficile à mettre en oeuvre. Elle nécessite des installations lourdes, et le temps de traitement est relativement long. Pour cette raison la mise en oeuvre de cette technique est limitée en pratique aux assemblages que l'on ne peut commodément réaliser autrement. Il s'agit par exemple de la formation de vitrages feuilletés dont la géométrie est particulièrement complexe.The last step is practically carried out in all cases at a temperature of 100 to 150 ° C. and under pressure in an autoclave, to ensure perfect contact between the glass sheets on the one hand, and the interlayer thermoplastic sheet on the other hand. The previous steps give way to a certain diversity of treatment. It is thus proposed to constitute the stabilized and degassed laminate, by subjecting the assembly to a high vacuum applied in particular from the periphery. This technique if it leads to good results is relatively difficult to implement. It requires heavy installations, and the processing time is relatively long. For this reason, the implementation of this technique is limited in practice to assemblies which cannot be conveniently produced otherwise. This is for example the formation of laminated glazing whose geometry is particularly complex.
Dans une technique relativement lourde également, la stabilisation et le dégazage sont conduits en plaçant les feuilles superposées dans des sacs étanches souples dans lesquels on fait le vide. Ces techniques utilisées depuis de nombreuses années permettent l'assemblage de formes assez complexes sans toutefois atteindre aux possibilités des dispositifs indiqués précédemment dans lesquels le vide est appliqué à partir de la périphérie. Les installations, là également sont coûteuses, et l'entretien du matériel, et en particulier des sacs, est très contraignant.In a relatively heavy technique also, stabilization and degassing are carried out by placing the superimposed sheets in flexible waterproof bags in which a vacuum is created. These techniques used for many years allow the assembly of fairly complex shapes without however reaching the possibilities of the devices indicated above in which the vacuum is applied from the periphery. The facilities there are also expensive, and the maintenance of the equipment, and in particular of the bags, is very restrictive.
Un autre type de technique propose de procéder à l'assemblage provisoire par calandrage de feuilles préalablement superposées. Ce calandrage est d'autant plus aisé que le bombage des feuilles est plus restreint et, en particulier, que celui-ci se limite à une seule direction. Les progrès récents dans ce domaine, telle que la possibilité de faire varier le profil des rouleaux de calandrage au cours du traitement d'une seule pièce pour se conformer en tout point à la courbure transversale du vitrage traité, permettent d'accroître la capacité de ce mode de traitement sans pour autant renoncer aux avantages essentiels que constituent un débit élevé, et un coût d'entretien de l'installation relativement modeste.Another type of technique proposes to carry out the provisional assembly by calendering of previously superimposed sheets. This calendering is all the easier since the bending of the sheets is more restricted and, in particular, that it is limited to one direction. Recent advances in this area, such as the possibility of varying the profile of the calendering rollers during the treatment of a single piece to conform at all points to the transverse curvature of the treated glazing, make it possible to increase the capacity of this mode of treatment without sacrificing the essential advantages of high throughput and relatively low cost of maintaining the installation.
Le calandrage est normalement conduit en deux étapes. Dans la première, la température est volontairement limitée. Il s'agit en effet de chasser l'air et de commencer la stabilisation de l'intercalaire. A ce stade il faut éviter de sceller les bords du vitrage, opération qui ne permettrait plus d'évacuer convenablement l'air encore emprisonné dans les irrégularités de surface du matériau intercalaire. Dans la deuxième étape, on opère au contraire à température relativement haute pour que le ramollissement du matériau intercalaire, consécutif à une température plus haute, permette de sceller les bords, prévenant ainsi la rentrée ultérieure d'air, lorsque la pression ne s'exerce plus.Calendering is normally carried out in two stages. In the first, the temperature is deliberately limited. This is indeed to expel the air and begin stabilization of the interlayer. At this stage it is necessary to avoid sealing the edges of the glazing, an operation which would no longer allow the air still trapped in the irregularities of the surface of the interlayer material to be adequately removed. In the second step, on the contrary, the operation is carried out at a relatively high temperature so that the softening of the intermediate material, consecutive to a higher temperature, makes it possible to seal the edges, thus preventing the subsequent re-entry of air, when the pressure is no longer exerted.
Ces opérations, jusqu'à la fixation de l'intercalaire sur les feuilles de verre, doivent prendre en compte les particularités de comportement du matériau de l'intercalaire.These operations, until the interlayer is fixed to the glass sheets, must take into account the specific characteristics of the behavior of the interlayer material.
' Une première particularité concerne les caractéristiques dimensionnelles. Le matériau synthétique présente une certaine élasticité. Cette propriété est mise à profit dans le processus d'assemblage. Grâce à cette élasticité, la feuille intercalaire se conforme à la géométrie des feuilles de verre qui, nous l'avons indiqué, présentent souvent des formes complexes. L'élasticité fait aussi que dans les rouleaux de matériau intercalaire, la feuille se trouve habituellement sous forme légèrement étirée.'A first feature concerns the dimensional characteristics. The synthetic material has a certain elasticity. This property is taken advantage of in the assembly process. Thanks to this elasticity, the interlayer sheet conforms to the geometry of the glass sheets which, as we have indicated, often have complex shapes. The elasticity also means that in the rolls of interlayer material, the sheet is usually in slightly stretched form.
Les rouleaux de PVB sont par ailleurs conservés dans des conditions précises de température et d'humidité. Il est nécessaire de procéder ainsi pour éviter que les spires ne finissent par adhérer les unes aux autres. La température de stockage est ainsi comprise entre 6 et 10°C. Une autre solution pour éviter ce collage consiste à enrouler une bande de papier ou de matériau plastique approprié en même temps que celle de PVB, cette bande séparant ainsi chaque spire de la suivante. L'usage de ces rouleaux « interfoliés » est néanmoins très contraignant, notamment pour les opérations postérieures au stockage. Pour cette raison, le stockage réfrigéré est généralement préféré.The PVB rolls are also stored under precise temperature and humidity conditions. It is necessary to do this to prevent the turns from sticking together. The storage temperature is thus between 6 and 10 ° C. Another solution to avoid this sticking consists in rolling up a strip of paper or of suitable plastic material at the same time as that of PVB, this strip thus separating each turn from the next. The use of these “interleaved” rollers is nevertheless very restrictive, in particular for operations after storage. For this reason, refrigerated storage is generally preferred.
Dans ces conditions le PVB après déroulage et libération des contraintes générées lors de la mise en rouleau, ou lors du déroulage lui-même , et en revenant à la température ambiante, est sujet à une rétraction légère, de quelques pour-cent. La rétraction en question s'opère relativement lentement. Il n'est habituellement pas possible d'effectuer la découpe de la feuille intercalaire au format précis des feuilles de verre. Il faut tenir compte de ce qu'entre le moment de la découpe et celui où la position de l'intercalaire entre les feuilles de verre est fixée, la feuille aura rétréci et pourrait se trouver en retrait par rapport aux bords des feuilles de verre. Le retrait de la feuille que l'on constate dès la température ambiante s'accélère et s'amplifie si l'on élève la température, ce qui est le cas lorsqu'on effectue la stabilisation sous une certaine température avant l'étape de scellement de bords du vitrage dans la première étape de calandrage.Under these conditions the PVB after unwinding and release of the stresses generated during the roll-up, or during the unwinding itself, and returning to ambient temperature, is subject to a slight shrinkage, of a few percent. The retraction in question takes place relatively slowly. It is usually not possible to cut the interleaf sheet in the format precise glass sheets. It should be taken into account that between the time of cutting and when the position of the interlayer between the glass sheets is fixed, the sheet will have shrunk and could be set back from the edges of the glass sheets. The shrinkage of the sheet which is observed at room temperature accelerates and amplifies if the temperature is raised, which is the case when the stabilization is carried out under a certain temperature before the sealing step. glazing edges in the first calendering step.
Pour prévenir ces difficultés, la pratique est généralement de découper la feuille intercalaire avec un excédent non négligeable par rapport aux dimensions des feuilles de verre. Cet excédent est par exemple d'une dizaine de millimètres.To prevent these difficulties, the practice is generally to cut the intermediate sheet with a non-negligible excess compared to the dimensions of the glass sheets. This excess is, for example, around ten millimeters.
Par ailleurs, tenant compte des contraintes imposées par la tendance au retrait du matériau, il est également de pratique usuelle de procéder à un étirage de la feuille avant ou après la découpe de celle-ci. Dans cette pratique, on atteint et dépasse l'élongation élastique. La déformation imposée est destinée à compenser, en partie, la tendance naturelle au retrait indiquée précédemment. Elle permet aussi surtout d'adapter au mieux la découpe des feuilles intercalaires en fonction des dimensions d'origine du rouleau et de celles du vitrage à assembler. Le plus souvent, les feuilles pour les pare-brise sont étirées dans leur plus grande dimension pour compenser, au moins en partie, la différence de dimensions existant entre le haut du pare-brise et le bas de celui-ci. Cette façon de procéder a pour avantage de réduire les chutes de matériau inévitables après découpe. Elle permet ainsi une économie de quelques pour-cent de ce matériau.Furthermore, taking into account the constraints imposed by the tendency to shrink the material, it is also usual practice to draw the sheet before or after cutting it. In this practice, we reach and exceed the elastic elongation. The imposed deformation is intended to compensate, in part, for the natural tendency to shrinkage indicated above. Above all, it also makes it possible to best adapt the cutting of the intermediate sheets according to the original dimensions of the roll and those of the glazing to be assembled. Most often, the sheets for the windshields are stretched in their largest dimension to compensate, at least in part, for the difference in dimensions existing between the top of the windshield and the bottom thereof. This procedure has the advantage of reducing the inevitable falls of material after cutting. It thus saves a few percent of this material.
Après le déroulement et la découpe du PVB, et éventuellement l'étirage des feuilles, on procède normalement à une relaxation des feuilles pour leur permettre de retrouver une certaine stabilité comme il a été indiqué précédemment. Ceci entraîne un entreposage des feuilles d'autant plus délicat qu'il doit être bien contrôlé. Il doit être suffisamment long pour assurer une relaxation convenable, et pas trop long, un entreposage trop long à température ambiante ayant pour effet de conduire au collage des feuilles entre elles. Ce stockage doit en outre être effectué dans des salles hors poussière en maintenant une certaine hygrométrie. Tous ces éléments ajoutent au coût de production.After the unwinding and cutting of the PVB, and possibly the stretching of the sheets, the sheets are normally relaxed in order to allow them to regain a certain stability as has been indicated above. This results in storage of the sheets which is all the more delicate since it must be well controlled. It must be long enough to ensure adequate relaxation, and not too long, too long storage at room temperature having the effect of causing the sheets to stick together. This storage must also be carried out in dust-free rooms while maintaining a certain humidity. All of these add to the cost of production.
L'invention se propose d'améliorer les procédés mis en oeuvre pour assembler les vitrages feuilletés, en éliminant certaines au moins des contraintes exposées ci-dessus.The invention proposes to improve the processes used to assemble laminated glazing, by eliminating at least some of the constraints set out above.
Dans le procédé d'assemblage de vitrages feuilletés selon l'invention, le matériau intercalaire du type PVB, est déroulé, découpé en pièces qui sont immédiatement disposées entre les deux feuilles de verre, et stabilisé entre ces feuilles par un calandrage à une température voisine de la température ambiante, température qui n'excède pas 35°C.In the method of assembling laminated glazings according to the invention, the interlayer material of the PVB type is unrolled, cut into pieces which are immediately placed between the two sheets of glass, and stabilized between these sheets by calendering at a similar temperature. of ambient temperature, temperature which does not exceed 35 ° C.
Lors du calandrage les feuilles de verre sont soumises à des efforts principalement dans le sens de leur épaisseur. Une certaine composante de ces forces peut cependant se présenter dans le sens de progression des feuilles. Pour cette raison, et pour prévenir tout risque de déplacement des feuilles les unes par rapport aux autres, il est avantageux de les stabiliser avant de les soumettre à ce calandrage. Pour cela il est proposé de presser l'assemblage immédiatement après qu'il est constitué, et à un moment où la position respective des feuilles est très précisément réalisée. La pression est suffisamment intense pour faire adhérer les feuilles de verre à la feuille intercalaire, mais cette pression est exercée sur une surface limitée. Il ne s 'agit pas de remplacer le calandrage lui-même, mais seulement d'éviter le glissement des feuilles. Pour cette raison le pressage se fait ponctuellement. Un nombre limité de points suffit pour garantir un maintien convenable de l'assemblage dans l'opération de calandrage qui suit.During calendering, the glass sheets are subjected to stresses mainly in the direction of their thickness. A certain component of these forces can however appear in the direction of progression of the leaves. For this reason, and to prevent any risk of the sheets moving relative to one another, it is advantageous to stabilize them before subjecting them to calendering. For this it is proposed to press the assembly immediately after it is formed, and at a time when the respective position of the sheets is very precisely achieved. The pressure is intense enough to adhere the glass sheets to the interlayer sheet, but this pressure is exerted on a limited surface. It is not a question of replacing the calendering itself, but only of avoiding the sliding of the sheets. For this reason the pressing is done punctually. A limited number of points is sufficient to guarantee proper maintenance of the assembly in the following calendering operation.
A titre indicatif la pression exercée pour assurer le « collage » ponctuel est avantageusement de l'ordre de 20 à 60kg/cm2.As an indication, the pressure exerted to ensure punctual "sticking" is advantageously of the order of 20 to 60 kg / cm 2 .
Dans son principe, l'invention vise à limiter au maximum les opérations initiales sur le matériau intercalaire, et en particulier les opérations qui touchent aux dimensions de la feuille. Il s'agit notamment de s'affranchir de la nécessité de la relaxation de la feuille après déroulage et découpe, opération qui nécessite un entreposage relativement long dans des conditions contraignantes. Il s'agit aussi, vis- à-vis de la pratique la plus usuelle, de supprimer l'étirage et ses conséquences sur l'étape de relaxation.In principle, the invention aims to limit as much as possible the initial operations on the intermediate material, and in particular the operations which affect the dimensions of the sheet. These include overcoming the need for relaxation of the sheet after unrolling and cutting, an operation which requires relatively long storage under restrictive conditions. It is also, with regard to the most usual practice, to eliminate stretching and its consequences on the relaxation stage.
Les traitements jusqu'à stabilisation de la feuille intercalaire entre les feuilles de verre étant opérés à température ambiante, on minimise le retrait naturel et la nécessité de prévoir un temps de relaxation préalable. L'absence d'étirage des feuilles pour les raisons indiquées, va dans le même sens.The treatments until stabilization of the interlayer sheet between the glass sheets being operated at room temperature, natural shrinkage is minimized and the need to provide a prior relaxation time. The absence of stretching of the sheets for the reasons indicated, goes in the same direction.
Il est important dans les opérations de déroulage et de découpe, d'éviter tout étirage significatif de la feuille. Si les manipulations ne peuvent écarter les modifications inhérentes aux propriétés élastiques de la feuille, on s'efforce de limiter ces modifications au strict minimum. On évite par exemple d'exercer une traction sur la feuille au cours de son déroulage. En pratique, les modifications dimensionnelles seront toujours maintenues inférieures à 2% au cours de ces opérations initiales.It is important in the unwinding and cutting operations to avoid any significant stretching of the sheet. If the manipulations cannot rule out the modifications inherent in the elastic properties of the sheet, efforts are made to limit these modifications to the strict minimum. This avoids for example exerting traction on the sheet during its unwinding. In practice, dimensional changes will always be kept below 2% during these initial operations.
La pratique relative à la relaxation conduit habituellement à entreposer les feuilles découpées pendant 24 heures pour s'intégrer commodément aux rythmes de production industrielle. Pour la mise en oeuvre selon l'invention, l'intervalle entre le moment où le matériau intercalaire est déroulé, et celui où la feuille découpée introduite entre les deux feuilles de verre est stabilisée par calandrage à température ambiante, est aussi court que possible. Il est avantageusement inférieur à 3 heures et peut être amené à une demi-heure ou même moins dans les productions continues, l'idéal étant de faire en sorte que les opérations se succèdent sans interruption. Dans cette dernière hypothèse, le temps séparant le déroulage de l'intercalaire de sa mise en place entre les feuilles de verre peut être de quelques minutes seulement.The practice of relaxation usually results in storing the cut sheets for 24 hours to integrate comfortably into the rhythms of industrial production. For the implementation according to the invention, the interval between the moment when the interlayer material is unrolled, and that when the cut sheet introduced between the two glass sheets is stabilized by calendering at room temperature, is as short as possible. It is advantageously less than 3 hours and can be brought to half an hour or even less in continuous productions, the ideal being to ensure that operations succeed one another without interruption. In this latter hypothesis, the time separating the unwinding of the interlayer from its placement between the sheets of glass can be only a few minutes.
Le choix de ne pas étirer la feuille intercalaire, et l'absence de retrait important qui en résulte, permettent encore de faciliter certaines opérations d'assemblage. C'est le cas notamment de l'émargeage des feuilles. Précédemment, l'émargeage était réalisé à la fin du processus, après le passage dans l'autoclave, passage qui conduit au collage définitif des feuilles de verre par l'intercalaire. Autrement dit, l'émargeage était repoussé au moment où le vitrage est définitivement assemblé, et où il n'existe plus aucun risque de modification de l'intercalaire. Cette façon de procéder présente certains inconvénients. Lorsque l'ensemble est passé à l'autoclave, la température atteinte conduit à un ramollissement de l'intercalaire très important. Ce ramollissement, qu'on peut aussi qualifier de fusion, fait que l'excédent de matériau intercalaire débordant de la périphérie des feuilles de verre se rabat sous l'effet de son propre poids ou de contraintes mécaniques et vient se coller sur les bords des feuilles de verre. D'autre part, après le processus d'autoclavage, l'excédent d'intercalaire a subi une transformation qui le rend plus dur et plus rigide. De ces faits, l'émargeage est rendu relativement difficile. Il est notamment pratiquement impossible de procéder de façon automatisée. Une opération « manuelle » constitue à l'évidence une contrainte dont il est souhaitable de s'affranchir.The choice not to stretch the interlayer sheet, and the absence of significant shrinkage which results therefrom, further facilitate certain assembly operations. This is particularly the case with the skinning of the leaves. Previously, the skinning was carried out at the end of the process, after passing through the autoclave, passage which leads to the final bonding of the glass sheets by the interlayer. In other words, the sanding was postponed when the glazing is finally assembled, and when there is no longer any risk of modification of the interlayer. This procedure has certain drawbacks. When the assembly is autoclaved, the temperature reached leads to a very significant softening of the interlayer. This softening, which can also be described as fusion, causes the excess of intermediate material overflowing from the periphery of the glass sheets to be folded down under the effect of its own weight or mechanical stresses and sticks to the edges of the glass sheets. On the other hand, after the autoclaving process, the excess interlayer has undergone a transformation which makes it harder and more rigid. From these facts, the signing is made relatively difficult. In particular, it is practically impossible to proceed automatically. A “manual” operation clearly constitutes a constraint which it is desirable to overcome.
En procédant selon l'invention, il est avantageux d'effectuer l'émargeage dès que la feuille intercalaire est fixée entre les feuilles de verre, après le premier calandrage. A ce stade les bords de la feuille intercalaire s' étendant au-delà des feuilles de verre ne sont pas rabattus. Ils présentent aussi une certaine résistance à la flexion qui facilite la découpe. Compte tenu de la manière dont se présente l'intercalaire, l'émargeage peut être accompli de façon automatisée.By proceeding according to the invention, it is advantageous to perform the skinning as soon as the interlayer sheet is fixed between the glass sheets, after the first calendering. At this stage the edges of the interlayer sheet extending beyond the glass sheets are not folded down. They also have a certain resistance to bending which facilitates cutting. Given the way in which the interlayer is presented, the skinning can be accomplished in an automated manner.
La réalisation de l'émargeage avant le passage à l'autoclave a, par ailleurs pour conséquence de modifier l'apparence du bord découpé de la feuille intercalaire. La découpe effectuée habituellement avec une lame qui est déplacée le long des feuilles de verre, introduit sur la section quelques irrégularités qui sont le résultat de l'effort supporté par la feuille intercalaire au cours de cette opération. Le couteau exerce nécessairement une certaine compression/traction sur la feuille plastique, effort qui entraîne des irrégularités sur la ligne de découpe. Dans le processus selon l'invention, l'ajustement des dimensions de l'intercalaire conduit aussi à quelques imperfections sur le bord découpé, d'autant que le matériau qui n'est pas passé à l'autoclave est relativement élastique et se déforme sous la pression du couteau de manière qui ne peut être entièrement contrôlée. Néanmoins les irrégularités introduites lors de la découpe disparaissent lorsque le vitrage feuilleté est passé à l'autoclave. Le ramollissement assimilable à une fusion, qui s'opère dans l'autoclave, conduit à la formation d'une sorte de ménisque sur le bord de la feuille de matériau intercalaire. Autrement dit, les aspérités du bord du matériau sont fondues. L'aspect est sensiblement plus lisse que pour les produits dont l'émargeage est effectué après passage à l'autoclave comme on l'indiquera de façon plus détaillée à l'aide des figures.Carrying out the skinning before the autoclave has, moreover, the consequence of modifying the appearance of the cut edge of the interlayer sheet. The cutting usually carried out with a blade which is moved along the glass sheets, introduces on the section some irregularities which are the result of the force supported by the interlayer sheet during this operation. The knife necessarily exerts a certain compression / traction on the plastic sheet, an effort which causes irregularities on the cutting line. In the process according to the invention, the adjustment of the dimensions of the interlayer also leads to some imperfections on the cut edge, especially since the material which has not been autoclaved is relatively elastic and deforms under pressure from knife in a way that cannot be fully controlled. However, the irregularities introduced during cutting disappear when the laminated glazing is autoclaved. The softening similar to a fusion, which takes place in the autoclave, leads to the formation of a kind of meniscus on the edge of the sheet of interlayer material. In other words, the roughness of the edge of the material is melted. The appearance is appreciably smoother than for the products of which the skinning is carried out after passage through the autoclave as will be indicated in more detail with the aid of the figures.
Après les opérations initiales propres à la mise en œuvre de l'invention, l'assemblage des vitrages feuilletés se poursuit par des étapes plus traditionnelles.After the initial operations specific to the implementation of the invention, the assembly of the laminated glazing continues with more traditional steps.
L'ensemble sortant du calandrage à température ambiante, est en grande partie dégazé. Il est alors avantageusement définitivement dégazé et fixé par un calandrage à température plus élevée pour sceller les bords et éviter la possible pénétration à nouveau d'air par les bords du vitrage. Un tel calandrage est réalisé à une température inférieure à celle de fusion du matériau. Pour le traitement d'une feuille de PVB, la température est avantageusement comprise entre 75 et 110°C.The assembly leaving the calendering at room temperature is largely degassed. It is then advantageously permanently degassed and fixed by a calendering at a higher temperature to seal the edges and avoid the possible re-penetration of air by the edges of the glazing. Such calendering is carried out at a temperature below that of the melting of the material. For the treatment of a PVB sheet, the temperature is advantageously between 75 and 110 ° C.
L'opération suivante est celle correspondant à la fusion sous pression. Dans le cas de feuilles de PVB, cette opération est menée à des températures comprises entre 120 et 150°C. sous une pression de l'ordre de 10 à 16xl05Pa. Cette opération est réalisée avantageusement dans un simple autoclave.The next operation is that corresponding to pressure melting. In the case of PVB sheets, this operation is carried out at temperatures between 120 and 150 ° C. under a pressure of the order of 10 to 16 × 10 5 Pa. This operation is advantageously carried out in a simple autoclave.
Il est possible de combiner les étapes initiales selon l'invention avec d'autres techniques connues comme celles indiquées précédemment consistant à procéder au dégazage au moyen d'enveloppes souples ou d'anneaux de dégazage faisant le vide sur la périphérie des assemblages. Il est encore possible de poursuivre l'assemblage en passant ces enveloppes dans des enceintes où la température et la pression sont portées aux conditions indiquées précédemment. Les étapes du processus selon l'invention peuvent être combinées avec ces étapes connues, de telle sorte que l'on puisse continuer à utiliser des installations préexistantes. Néanmoins, il est avantageux pour bénéficier pleinement des avantages procurés par l'invention de procéder par calandrage à chaud et passage à l'autoclave comme indiqué précédemment.It is possible to combine the initial steps according to the invention with other known techniques such as those indicated above consisting of degassing by means of flexible casings or degassing rings making the vacuum on the periphery of the assemblies. It is still possible to continue the assembly by passing these envelopes through enclosures where the temperature and the pressure are brought to the conditions indicated above. The stages of the process according to the invention can be combined with these known stages, so that one can continue to use preexisting installations. Nevertheless, it It is advantageous to take full advantage of the advantages provided by the invention to proceed by hot calendering and autoclaving as indicated above.
L'invention est illustrée de manière détaillée à l'aide d'un exemple de mise en oeuvre, en faisant référence aux figures annexées dans lesquelles :The invention is illustrated in detail using an example of implementation, with reference to the appended figures in which:
- la figure 1 est un schéma synoptique montrant un ensemble d'étapes de mises en oeuvre d'un procédé de production de vitrage feuilleté selon l'invention- Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a set of steps for implementing a method of producing laminated glazing according to the invention
- les figures 2 sont différentes vues schématiques présentant le comportement du bord de la feuille intercalaire selon les conditions d'émargeage.- Figures 2 are different schematic views showing the behavior of the edge of the interlayer sheet according to the conditions of blasting.
L'exemple de la figure 1 .correspond à la préparation de pare-brise feuilleté comprenant deux feuilles de verre appariées bombées, et un intercalaire constitué par exemple d'une feuille de PVB de 0,76mm d'épaisseur.The example in FIG. 1 corresponds to the preparation of a laminated windshield comprising two paired curved glass sheets, and an interlayer constituted for example by a PVB sheet 0.76 mm thick.
La première étape consiste , partant du rouleau d'intercalaire 1, sortant de son stockage réfrigéré à 8°C , à dérouler et découper une feuille 2, de forme et dimensions correspondant à celles des feuilles de verre, avec des dimensions légèrement supérieures.The first step consists, starting from the interlayer roll 1, leaving its refrigerated storage at 8 ° C., to unroll and cut a sheet 2, of shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the glass sheets, with slightly larger dimensions.
Le déroulage est effectué sans traction sur l'intercalaire.The unwinding is carried out without traction on the interlayer.
Pour réduire le plus possible les pertes occasionnées par la découpe selon une forme générale trapézoïdale, les découpes sont réalisées, généralement en tête-bêche, les grandes dimensions s'étendant dans la longueur du rouleau, et en inversant le sens des pièces à chaque découpe.To reduce as much as possible the losses caused by cutting in a general trapezoidal shape, the cuts are made, generally upside down, the large dimensions extending in the length of the roll, and reversing the direction of the pieces with each cutting. .
Les pièces de PVB découpées sont immédiatement introduites entre les deux feuilles de verre et passées au calandrage à température ambiante, comme schématisé en 3. Précédant ce calandrage, les feuilles peuvent être immobilisées les unes par rapport aux autres pour éviter leur glissement, par une opération de pressage en deux points situés dans la partie centrale du vitrage. Les points son bien espacés pour offrir une bonne résistance aux forces qui dans le calandrage auraient pour effet de faire pivoter les feuilles. Pour cela les points de pressage sont distants d'une fraction de la plus grande dimension du vitrage, qui n'est avantageusement pas inférieure au cinquième de cette dimension.The cut PVB pieces are immediately introduced between the two glass sheets and passed to calendering at room temperature, as shown in diagram 3. Before this calendering, the sheets can be immobilized relative to one another to prevent them from sliding, by a pressing operation at two points located in the central part of the glazing. The points are well spaced to offer good resistance to the forces which in calendering would have the effect of rotating the sheets. For this, the pressing points are spaced apart by a fraction of the largest dimension of the glazing, which is advantageously not less than one fifth of this dimension.
Après cette fixation par points l'ensemble est passé au calandrage dans le sens de la plus grande courbure du pare-brise, qui est normalement la courbure dans la longueur du pare-brise.After this fixing by points the whole is passed to calendering in the direction of the greatest curvature of the windshield, which is normally the curvature in the length of the windshield.
Le dispositif mis en oeuvre est du type comprenant une multiplicité de rouleaux alignés sur un même axe qui peut être arqué pour tenir compte de la courbure transversale du pare-brise. Ce type de calandrage est limité aux assemblages qui n'ont qu'une courbure transversale réduite et pratiquement constante sur toute la longueur. Dans le cas où la courbure est plus importante et/ou n'est pas constante, les dispositifs sont plus complexes. Le profil de l'ensemble des rouleaux doit s'adapter pour correspondre à chaque instant à la courbure du verre dans une transversale déterminée. Comme indiqué précédemment ce type d'adaptation instantané du dispositif à la courbure variable au défilé de la feuille de verre, est actuellement réalisé au moyen de séries de rouleaux indépendants les uns des autres, dont la positon relative est ajustée par des moyens de commande numériques.The device used is of the type comprising a multiplicity of rollers aligned on the same axis which can be arched to take account of the transverse curvature of the windshield. This type of calendering is limited to assemblies which have a reduced transverse curvature and practically constant over the entire length. In the case where the curvature is greater and / or is not constant, the devices are more complex. The profile of the set of rollers must adapt to correspond at all times to the curvature of the glass in a determined transverse. As indicated above, this type of instantaneous adaptation of the device to the variable curvature when the glass sheet passes by, is currently produced by means of series of rollers independent of each other, the relative position of which is adjusted by digital control means. .
La pression exercée par le calandrage est de l'ordre de 40kg cm2.The pressure exerted by the calendering is of the order of 40 kg cm 2 .
Entre le moment où le PVB est déroulé et la fin de ce premier calandrage, sur la ligne de production industrielle, il s'est écoulé entre 10 et 15mn. Les conditions dans lesquelles la feuille de PVB se trouve au cours de ces étapes de traitement, sont pratiquement celles dans lesquelles il est stocké. nBetween the time when the PVB is unrolled and the end of this first calendering, on the industrial production line, it took between 10 and 15 minutes. The conditions under which the PVB sheet is found during these processing steps are practically those under which it is stored. not
Ultérieurement, l'ensemble issu du calandrage est en condition pour être émargé sa stabilité étant suffisante. Le bord 5 de l'intercalaire dépassant des feuilles de verre 4 est suffisamment rigide pour ne pas se rabattre. Il ne colle donc pas aux feuilles de verre et peut être commodément coupé, avantageusement de manière automatique ou robotisée.Subsequently, the assembly resulting from calendering is in condition to be signed, its stability being sufficient. The edge 5 of the interlayer protruding from the glass sheets 4 is rigid enough not to fall back. It therefore does not stick to the glass sheets and can be conveniently cut, advantageously automatically or robotically.
A l'étape suivante schématisée en 6, l'assemblage est chauffé dans une étuve à une température conduisant à un ramollissement de l'intercalaire, sans atteindre celle de fusion complète. La température doit permettre le collage des bords à l'étape suivante. Une température typique est comprise entre 75 et 110°C, et le plus souvent comprise entre 85 et 90°C.In the next step shown diagrammatically in 6, the assembly is heated in an oven at a temperature leading to a softening of the interlayer, without reaching that of complete melting. The temperature should allow the edges to be bonded in the next step. A typical temperature is between 75 and 110 ° C, and most often between 85 and 90 ° C.
L'assemblage porté à cette température est immédiatement soumis à un deuxième calandrage schématisé en 7. Dans ce calandrage, les bords sont soumis à une pression légèrement supérieure à celle exercée sur le reste de la feuille, pour garantir un collage de ceux-ci qui interdise une entrée ultérieure d'air. En même temps que les bords sont scellés, comme il vient d'être indiqué, l'air résiduel emprisonné est expulsé. Pour obtenir le meilleur résultat possible, le sens de passage au calandrage est avantageusement inverse de celui de la première opération de calandrage.The assembly brought to this temperature is immediately subjected to a second calendering schematized at 7. In this calendering, the edges are subjected to a pressure slightly greater than that exerted on the rest of the sheet, to guarantee a bonding of these which prohibits subsequent entry of air. At the same time as the edges are sealed, as just indicated, the trapped residual air is expelled. To obtain the best possible result, the direction of calendering is advantageously opposite to that of the first calendering operation.
Pour constituer le vitrage avec la transparence requise, le matériau intercalaire doit être ensuite porté à température élevée et sous pression. L'opération est conduite, comme schématisé en 8, dans un autoclave. La température la plus élevée au cours du traitement, est de 120 à 160°C, et la pression peut atteindre de 10 à 16.105.Pa.To constitute the glazing with the required transparency, the interlayer material must then be brought to high temperature and under pressure. The operation is carried out, as shown schematically in 8, in an autoclave. The highest temperature during treatment is 120 to 160 ° C, and the pressure can reach from 10 to 16.10 5 .Pa.
Après refroidissement la pile des vitrages 9 extraite de l'autoclave est prête à être expédiée, en pratique, sans nécessité de retoucher l'intercalaire. Elle est stockée habituellement sur des conteneurs adaptés aux formes et dimensions des vitrages, comme schématisé en 10. Le profil du bord de la feuille intercalaire plastique fait l'objet des figures 2. A la figuré 2a est présenté le feuilleté tel qu'il se présente habituellement au début du processus d'assemblage. Les feuilles de verre 11 et 12 prennent en sandwich la feuille intercalaire 13.After cooling the stack of glazing 9 extracted from the autoclave is ready to be shipped, in practice, without the need to touch up the interlayer. It is usually stored on containers adapted to the shapes and dimensions of the glazing, as shown in diagram 10. The profile of the edge of the plastic interleaf is the subject of Figures 2. In Figure 2a is presented the laminate as it usually occurs at the start of the assembly process. The glass sheets 11 and 12 sandwich the intermediate sheet 13.
La découpe initiale de la feuille intercalaire est telle qu'elle déborde les limites des feuilles de verre. La découpe initiale laisse un bord 14 qui peut présenter certaines irrégularités aussi bien dans le sens de l'épaisseur de la feuille que dans celui du plan de celle-ci.The initial cutting of the interlayer sheet is such that it exceeds the limits of the glass sheets. The initial cut leaves an edge 14 which can have certain irregularities both in the direction of the thickness of the sheet and in that of the plane thereof.
L'excès dimensionnel de l'intercalaire est choisi de manière à prévenir tout retrait qui conduirait l'intercalaire à des dimensions inférieures à celles des feuilles de verre, retrait qui peut apparaître notamment à l'exposition à la chaleur lors de l'étuvage de l'assemblage feuilleté. L'excès dimensionnel est fonction des risques de retrait. Ce dernier est d'autant plus important que la feuille aura été soumise à un étirage au début du processus. De façon habituelle la feuille intercalaire déborde les feuilles de verre d'une dizaine de millimètres.The dimensional excess of the interlayer is chosen so as to prevent any shrinkage which would lead the interlayer to dimensions smaller than those of the glass sheets, shrinkage which may appear in particular when exposed to heat during the baking of the laminated assembly. The excess size is a function of the risk of withdrawal. The latter is all the more important as the sheet will have been subjected to stretching at the start of the process. Usually the interlayer sheet overflows the glass sheets by about ten millimeters.
La figure 2b présente schématiquement l'aspect de l'extrémité de la feuille intercalaire après passage à l'étuve conduisant au ramollissement de cette feuille. De façon habituelle, sans aller jusqu'à une fusion franche, le ramollissement est tel que le profil de la tranche de l'intercalaire est modifié. Les irrégularités de petite ampleur se dissipent pour donner un profil plus lisse 15.FIG. 2b schematically presents the appearance of the end of the intermediate sheet after passage through the oven leading to the softening of this sheet. Usually, without going to a frank fusion, the softening is such that the profile of the edge of the interlayer is modified. Smaller irregularities dissipate to give a smoother profile 15.
A la figure 2b, l'extrémité de la feuille est présentée comme dans le même plan que la partie de cette feuille prise entre les deux feuilles de verre. En fait si l'excès dimensionnel est sensiblement supérieur à l'épaisseur de l'intercalaire, ce qui est le cas le plus usuel, la feuille intercalaire passée à l'étuve tend à fléchir sous son propre poids, et le cas échéant à venir se recoller sur le bord de la feuille de verre inférieure.In FIG. 2b, the end of the sheet is presented as in the same plane as the part of this sheet taken between the two sheets of glass. In fact if the dimensional excess is significantly greater than the thickness of the interlayer, which is the most usual case, the interlayer sheet passed in the oven tends to bend under its own weight, and if necessary to come stick to the edge of the lower glass sheet.
La suite des opérations comprend nécessairement l'enlèvement de l'excès de l'intercalaire. Traditionnellement cette opération se fait par une découpe à l'aide d'une lame passée le long des feuilles de verre. L'opération est mal commode, notamment en raison du collage éventuel de l'intercalaire sur l'extrémité de la feuille de verre sous-jacente. Cette difficulté conduit souvent à devoir exécuter cette opération de façon manuelle.The rest of the operations necessarily include the removal of the excess of the interlayer. Traditionally this operation is done by cutting using a blade passed along the glass sheets. The operation is inconvenient, in particular because of the possible bonding of the interlayer on the end of the underlying glass sheet. This difficulty often leads to having to perform this operation manually.
La figure 2c illustre de façon schématique le type de profil du vitrage final lorsque l'émargeage est effectué après l'étuvage. Dans ce cas le bord de la feuille intercalaire est relativement irrégulier, ce qui n'est pas entièrement satisfaisant au niveau de l'aspect final, mais qui de surcroît peut s'accompagner de défauts liés aux efforts exercés sur cet intercalaire après l'assemblage.FIG. 2c schematically illustrates the type of profile of the final glazing when the skinning is carried out after baking. In this case the edge of the interlayer sheet is relatively irregular, which is not entirely satisfactory in terms of the final appearance, but which in addition may be accompanied by defects linked to the forces exerted on this interlayer after assembly. .
Par comparaison avec le processus précédent, par les dispositions proposées selon la présente invention, il est avantageux d'émarger la feuille intercalaire dès que l'assemblage des deux feuilles de verre et de l'intercalaire est réalisé. Partant d'une configuration telle que schématisé en 2a, la découpe dans ces conditions donne dans un premier temps un bord de feuille intercalaire irrégulier comme schématisé en 2d. Cette configuration est modifiée lors du passage à l'étuve. Comme précédemment, le ramollissement du matériau constituant l'intercalaire, fait disparaître les petites irrégularités de surface. Le bord final de l'intercalaire prend un profil légèrement bombé et relativement lisse de meilleur aspect.By comparison with the previous process, by the arrangements proposed according to the present invention, it is advantageous to embed the interlayer sheet as soon as the assembly of the two glass sheets and the interlayer is carried out. Starting from a configuration as shown diagrammatically in 2a, the cutting under these conditions firstly gives an edge of irregular intermediate sheet as shown diagrammatically in 2d. This configuration is modified when switching to the oven. As before, the softening of the material constituting the interlayer, removes small surface irregularities. The final edge of the interlayer takes a slightly domed and relatively smooth profile of better appearance.
Les avantages liés à l'invention se manifestent quels que soient les vitrages considérés. Le bénéfice qui s'attache à la formation d'un bord bien lisse de la feuille intercalaire lorsque l'on procède à l'émargeage avant le passage à l'étuve est néanmoins particulièrement avantageux lorsqu'il s'agit de vitrage dont les bords sont visibles. C'est le cas notamment des vitrages latéraux mobiles.The advantages linked to the invention manifest themselves whatever the glazing considered. The benefit which attaches to the formation of a very smooth edge of the interlayer sheet when the skinning is carried out before the passage to the oven is nevertheless particularly advantageous when it is glazing whose edges are visible. This is particularly the case with movable side glazing.
En pratique, à l'heure actuelle, pour parvenir à des bords réguliers, on procède à un lissage mécanique de type abrasion pour faire disparaître les irrégularités provenant de l'émargeage postérieur à l'étuvage. En procédant, comme proposé par l'invention, à cet émargeage avant le passage à l'étuve, cette opération finale devient superflue. La mise en œuvre de l'invention a permis d'obtenir les vitrages feuilletés présentant toutes les qualités attendues, en particulier en terme d'absence de défauts optiques, tout en simplifiant le traitement conduisant à ces vitrages. Elle permet en particulier d'éviter les étapes de relaxation des feuilles intercalaires, simplifie la constitution de l'assemblage, et facilite l'émargeage des feuilles. Toutes ces améliorations ont pour conséquence une amélioration globale de l'économie du procédé. In practice, at present, in order to achieve regular edges, mechanical abrasion-type smoothing is carried out in order to remove the irregularities originating from the peeling after steaming. By proceeding, as proposed by the invention, with this skinning before going to the oven, this final operation becomes superfluous. The implementation of the invention has made it possible to obtain laminated glazings having all the expected qualities, in particular in terms of absence of optical defects, while simplifying the treatment leading to these glazings. It makes it possible in particular to avoid the stages of relaxation of the intermediate sheets, simplifies the constitution of the assembly, and facilitates the starting of the sheets. All of these improvements result in an overall improvement in the economics of the process.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé d'assemblage de vitrages feuilletés, vitrages composés de deux feuilles de verre réunies au moyen d'une feuille intercalaire d'un matériau thermoplastique présentant les propriétés des feuilles de polyvinyl butyral (PVB) dans lequel le matériau intercalaire est découpé et mis immédiatement entre les feuilles de verre, sans relaxation préalable, et calandre à une température voisine de l'ambiante et qui n'excède pas 35°C.1. Method for assembling laminated glazing, glazing composed of two glass sheets joined by means of an interlayer sheet of a thermoplastic material having the properties of polyvinyl butyral sheets (PVB) in which the interlayer material is cut and placed immediately between the sheets of glass, without prior relaxation, and calender to a temperature close to the ambient and which does not exceed 35 ° C.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le temps écoulé entre le déroulage du matériau intercalaire et la fin du calandrage à température voisine de l'ambiante et au plus égale à 35°C, n'est pas supérieur à 3 heures.2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the time elapsed between the unwinding of the interlayer material and the end of calendering at a temperature close to ambient and at most equal to 35 ° C, is not more than 3 hours.
3. . Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2 dans lequel après déroulage du matériau intercalaire celui-ci n'est soumis à aucun traitement qui aurait pour conséquence un étirage de plus de 2% quelle que soit la direction considérée.3.. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein after unwinding of the interlayer material it is not subjected to any treatment which would result in stretching of more than 2% regardless of the direction considered.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel l'émargeage de la feuille intercalaire est effectué avant tout traitement à température supérieure à 50°C.4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the separation of the interlayer sheet is carried out before any treatment at a temperature above 50 ° C.
5. Procédé selon la revendication 4 dans lequel l'émargeage est réalisé après le calandrage à température ambiante ou inférieure à 35°C.5. Method according to claim 4 wherein the skinning is carried out after calendering at room temperature or below 35 ° C.
6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel après le calandrage à température ambiante ou n'excédant pas 35°C, l'ensemble est porté à une température comprise entre 75 et 110°C et calandre à cette température. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein after calendering at room temperature or not exceeding 35 ° C, the assembly is brought to a temperature between 75 and 110 ° C and calender to this temperature.
7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel l'assemblage final est obtenu par fusion de l'intercalaire sous pression, la température étant portée entre 120 et 160°C et la pression étant comprise entre 10 et 16.105 Pa.7. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the final assembly is obtained by melting the interlayer under pressure, the temperature being brought between 120 and 160 ° C and the pressure being between 10 and 16.10 5 Pa.
8. Vitrage feuilleté composé de deux feuilles de verre réunies au moyen d'une feuille intercalaire d'un matériau thermoplastique, dans lequel le bord de la feuille de matériau thermoplastique présente l'aspect régulier résultant du passage à la température de ramollissement. 8. Laminated glazing composed of two glass sheets joined by means of an interlayer sheet of thermoplastic material, in which the edge of the sheet of thermoplastic material has the regular appearance resulting from the passage to the softening temperature.
PCT/EP2003/003704 2002-04-09 2003-04-09 Laminated glass assembly WO2003084744A1 (en)

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BE2002/0251A BE1014750A3 (en) 2002-04-09 2002-04-09 Laminated glazing assembly.
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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021144213A1 (en) 2020-01-16 2021-07-22 Agc Glass Europe Spandrel

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2442122A1 (en) * 1978-11-23 1980-06-20 Saint Gobain Cutter for trimming plastic coatings or film supported by rigid sheet - esp. for mfr. of multilayer windscreens resistant to peripheral delamination
EP0811481A2 (en) * 1996-06-05 1997-12-10 Saint-Gobain Vitrage Process for making infra-red light reflecting laminated glass for cars

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2622143B1 (en) * 1987-10-26 1990-01-26 Saint Gobain Vitrage PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF AN EXTRUDED POLYVINYLBUTYRAL SHEET AND SHEET OBTAINED

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2442122A1 (en) * 1978-11-23 1980-06-20 Saint Gobain Cutter for trimming plastic coatings or film supported by rigid sheet - esp. for mfr. of multilayer windscreens resistant to peripheral delamination
EP0811481A2 (en) * 1996-06-05 1997-12-10 Saint-Gobain Vitrage Process for making infra-red light reflecting laminated glass for cars

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1492668A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021144213A1 (en) 2020-01-16 2021-07-22 Agc Glass Europe Spandrel

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